Solar Orbiter performs longest-ever observation of active solar region

The European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft, in collaboration with NASA, has achieved the longest continuous observation of an active solar region to date. Over a 94-day period from April to July 2024, the spacecraft monitored NOAA 13664, one of the most active solar regions in the last two decades. By combining Solar Orbiter’s data with observations from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which views the Sun’s near side from Earth’s perspective, scientists were able to continuously track this region as it rotated from the far side to the near side of the Sun. This unprecedented continuous monitoring allowed researchers to observe the birth, evolution, and decay of NOAA 13664, including the formation of a complex magnetic structure that led to the strongest solar flare in 20 years on May 20, 2024. This extended observation is considered a milestone in solar physics, providing critical insights into solar activity and its effects on Earth. The intense solar storms triggered by NOAA 13664 caused significant geom